Making magical music

Alton Symphony Orchestra's Maestro Leon Burke has conducted internationally, but he said he truly enjoys his position on the podium with this special institution.

"The orchestra is very receptive and they want to be great - just give me an orchestra that wants that," he said. "We make good music and we have a lot of heart so that we'll touch you."

Burke said this is a quality he tries to emphasize, believing it's crucial for the musicians to connect with their audience.

This is a trait that comes naturally to Burke, who learned to play the organ at church from his grandmother.

"For me, she created magic," he said. "I would watch her wave her fingers over the keyboard and magical, beautiful sounds would come out - I would sit there and wave my hands and it just wasn't the same."

Burke fell in love with conducting while a high school student in St. Louis, where he was a founding member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

At that time, he auditioned to play the flute and the piccolo but was rejected. After expressing his interest to be part of the orchestra, the manager asked him to serve as the orchestra's pianist and librarian.

"I was the librarian for Leonard Slatkin," he recalled. "That was so inspiring for me."

Burke followed his dream to Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio, where he majored in composition.

"This taught me so much about music," he said.

After completing his bachelor's degree, Burke earned his master's and doctorate in conducting from the University of Kansas.

In addition to his position with ASO, Burke conducts the Belleville Youth Orchestra, the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra, the University City Symphony, teaches voice at Saint Louis University and East Central College and plays at the Eliot Unitarian Chapel in Kirkwood on Sundays.

Burke also serves as the assistant conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, working with Amy Kaiser.

"I don't sleep," said the father of two, laughing.

Married for 21 years to his wife, Olivia, the Burkes have two daughters: Noel (Leon spelled backwards) and Angela.

"The girls enjoy music, but neither is trying to make it their livelihood," he said. "I applaud that."

Fittingly, ASO's final concert of the season is their young artist concert, featuring the "Grand Canyon Suite" by Grofe at 8 p.m. on April 23 in The Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College.